Simple cultivation of endive lettuce in a country garden
Growing endive lettuce is the most rewarding activity for gardeners during the fall / winter season. The culture is distinguished by its special frost resistance, which has earned its recognition. Nevertheless, due to the bitter taste, the plant is not very popular. However, for true gourmets, such a spicy and tasty addition to various dishes will be a real purchase.
Introducing endive salad
The most famous varieties are recognized as curly and broadleaf:
- curly endive has a rosette up to 25 cm, foliage is mostly heavily dissected;
- broadleaf (escariolus) reaches a volume of 50 cm, leaves are wide and straight, differ in fleshiness and light notches at the edges.
They always harvest on time, otherwise the bush gives an arrow in the form of a long stem. Later, inflorescences are formed on it, and then seeds.
Thanks to the branchy and powerful root system, the cultivation of endive lettuce is successfully carried out in the northern regions. Small woody roots can withstand temperatures as low as -6˚С. At the same time, the seed germinates excellently at + 2 ° C. Compliance with all the rules of agricultural technology allows you to get from one bush up to 500-600 g of fresh herbs (4 kg / m²).
Growing endive lettuce in every detail
Landing time is determined first. Usually it is spring or autumn. The month is chosen taking into account the ripening period of the culture, which is 2-3 months. Of course, by that time the earth should be well warmed up, and the weather should be stable. For the successful cultivation of Cichórium endívia lettuce, the temperature is between + 15 ... + 20 15С.
Planting endives in the summer is not recommended, as the variety is considered a plant with short daylight hours. In addition, the hot and dry climate can completely ruin the planting.
Subtleties of agricultural technology
A suitable place for a salad culture would be a sunny section of the garden, possibly with light partial shade. The plant does not like stagnation or excess moisture, so lowlands are rarely chosen for it. Loamy soils with a high fertilizer content are often preferred.
In addition, the cyclic salad grows well after:
- legumes;
- potatoes;
- cucumbers;
- Luke.
Before starting agricultural work, it is imperative to carry out spring digging of the site at a depth of 25 cm. In the spring, the soil is carefully loosened 7-10 days before planting. Top dressing is added if necessary. Heavy soils are mixed with river sand or sawdust.
Growing endive from seeds by the seedling method is carried out in several stages:
- in early spring, the boxes are filled with loose soil;
- sowing seed to a depth of 1 cm;
- sent to a dark place for 5-8 days at a temperature of 20-25˚С;
- then the container is placed in a cool environment (16-18˚C);
- seedlings with 2 full leaves dive into separate pots;
- transferred to open ground in the 4-5 leaf phase.
The acidity of the soil should be neutral or slightly alkaline in the range of 6.5-7 pH. Since the culture begins to hurt in acidic soils, lime is added to the site.
When planting and caring for cicorny lettuce in the open field, the root collar is buried to the soil level. Seedlings are planted in rows using a 30 × 30 cm scheme. The embedment depth is 1-1.5 cm.
Care features
The root system of the endive lettuce is close enough to the surface. For this reason, farmers carefully monitor that a crust does not form on the site.
To do this, they regularly water the planting, taking into account several watering rules:
- use a watering can or nozzle (for hoses);
- direct the stream to the center of the outlet or to the aisle;
- avoid waterlogging, stagnant water.
The sprinkling method will not allow the development of rot in the root socket. During the rainy season or during cool periods, the number and abundance of water procedures are significantly reduced. To maintain the optimum moisture level in the soil, loosening is mandatory. Since aeration is extremely necessary for a herbaceous plant, weeding is carried out as often as possible. In addition, weeds are removed from the site.
Despite the unique winter hardiness, farmers are advised to cover the garden in the event of a threat of frost. Prolonged exposure to low temperatures leads to weakening of plants and premature shooting.
Thinning is also a particularly important activity when growing endive lettuce outdoors. Full-fledged sockets are formed if the distance between them is 20-30 cm.
Not the last place is taken by feeding the culture, because it is very demanding on the fertility of the soil. Complex fertilizers based on calcium and nitrogen have proven themselves well. Also, in the fall, rotted compost (½ bucket / m²) is added to the garden bed together with phosphorus and potassium compounds (1 tbsp. L each).
Amazing whitening procedure
The event allows you to add a more delicate flavor to the endive salad. The bitterness becomes less vivid, and the crispness of the foliage, on the contrary, increases. In addition, such bleaching enhances the beneficial properties of the culture. It is carried out at the final stage of cultivation, when the rosette becomes spreading and voluminous.
A unique procedure is carried out according to this algorithm:
- at the beginning of the third month, the central part of the outlet is collected in a bunch;
- neatly tied with threads / ropes;
- leave for 3-5 weeks (spring or autumn, respectively).
As soon as the leaves turn white and yellow, the ropes are removed and the lettuce is cut at the root.
At the same time, it is imperative that moisture does not get into the formed head of cabbage, which often leads to the development of fungus and even rot. To avoid this, some cover the landing with a special hut made of film and frame.
Caution! Diseases
Like all other plants, royal endive salad and all its varieties are not immune from diseases. Most often, the culture suffers from root rot.
The main reasons for its development:
- excess or stagnant moisture;
- watering with cold water;
- an abundance of dressings (especially when it comes to using manure).
The first signs of the disease are not immediately noticeable, because the plant is only developing slowly. However, later the leaves quickly begin to dry out and wither. To stop this process of the destructive action of soil fungi will help the correct system of irrigation and loosening of the soil.
In the event of the appearance of yellowed foliage and its subsequent withering away, diseased specimens are removed from the garden, and the remaining cultures are treated with a solution of copper oxychloride. This is how rhizotconiosis manifests itself, which appears at high humidity and low temperature (air, soil). Therefore, when growing endive lettuce, special attention is paid to monitoring the planting.